Brazil launches nationwide operation to eliminate Zika virus mosquito

Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff says her government has launched a nationwide operation to eliminate breeding areas for the mosquito that transmits the Zika virus, which researchers have linked to a rare birth defect.

Ms Rousseff spoke after a video-conference meeting to discuss the Aedes aegypti mosquito with five state governors and six cabinet members.

She said the clean-up operation began on Friday at all installations run by the armed forces and at all federal educational, health and other facilities.

Ms Rousseff said that unless all of society mobilises to eliminate the pools of stagnant water in which the mosquito breeds, Brazil will lose the war against the insect.